Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella head Back to School and other Princely news
Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella started school again on Monday 11 September. They were dropped off by their parents, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, at the Institution François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré (FANB).
The 8-year-old siblings are heading into CE2 and for the first time, the twins will not be in the same class this year.
They have been attending the school, which is located a few hundred metres from the Prince’s Palace, since 2021.
Prince Albert II opens Art-Bre by unveiling a bust of writer Romain Gary
Prince Albert II attended the opening evening of Art-Bre in the Parc des Oliviers in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Along with Patrick Césari, the mayor of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the Sovereign unveiled a bust of Romain Gary, created by artist Cyril de La Patellière. Last year, a bust of Jospephine Baker was unveiled at the event.
In the 1940s, Romain Gary came to settle on the French Riviera. When he took his own life in 1980, his ashes were scattered off the shores of Monaco, fulfilling his will. The WWII war hero and ambassador to France was also the first and only writer to receive the prestigious Prix Goncourt twice. According to the rules of the Goncourt academy, this annual award for the best novel written in French can only be given once in a lifetime but Romain Gary managed to fool the academy when he published La vie devant soi under the pen name Emil Ajar in 1975.
At the event, Prince Albert II took in art with environmental messages, including “The Eighth Day” by Elend Zyma, made with recycled materials and “Melt in the sun” by Frédéric Dussoulier. The work harks back to the French author’s environmental literature.
Centenary of Rainier III: Prince Albert II signs the Constitution Stamp
Prince Albert II signed three “First Day” envelopes of a stamp dedicated to the 1962 Constitution during a ceremony by the National Council paying tribute the Centenary of Rainier III. Ten stamps have been issued this year to commemorate the Centenary of the birth of the Prince, with an eleventh to be issued at the beginning of 2024 for the International Circus Festival. The drawing and engraving for ‘The Constituent Prince Stamp’ was made by Sarah Lazarevic. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, the Princess of Hanover, Princess Stephanie and several of their children attended the tribute ceremony to Prince Rainier III at the National Council.
Princess Charlene is in South Africa for the Sun City Water Bike Challenge
Princess Charlene started the Waterbike Challenge race at the Sun City complex in South Africa on Saturday 17 September. After 15 kilometres of relay racing, the “Bumble Bees” team came in first position. All profits from the race will go to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa (PCMFSA) and the Lifesaving South Africa organization, a partner of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation which fights for the preservation of rhinos and endangered species. As part of her trip to South Africa, Princess Charlene also led “Learn to swim” activities for one hundred children from the region.
Pablo Picasso Exhibition inaugurated by Prince Albert II at the Palace
One of the most anticipated cultural events of the fall was inaugurated by Prince Albert II on 15 September. The “Pablo Picasso and Antiquity” exhibition in the Grands Apartments features a series of works by the painter inspired by the mythology and aesthetics of Greece and Ancient Rome.
The project was carried out by the Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, which is administered by the artist’s grandson, Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, who attended the inauguration. Part of the international “Picasso Celebration 1973-2023”, commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Pablo Picasso, the exhibition can be seen at the Prince’s Palace until 15 October.
Princess Charlene watches the South Africa vs Scotland Rugby Match
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match played between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille on 10 September. The Princely couple smiled as defending champions The Springboks got their championship off to a winning start by beating Scotland 18-3.
